<p>Jimmy Parham, 66, couldn't keep up with the competitive overseas manufacturing market that forced his local company, Tar Heel Mold Specialties, to go under.</p><p>As a result, Parham traded his tool-and-die-making experience for his love of pit-smoked barbecue and recently opened Jimmy's BBQ Place at 1201 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville.</p><p>The doors opened a couple weeks ago, and Parham said he sticks to a simple plan for his business.</p><p>“We are not trying to do anything fancy, but make good food that customers enjoy,” he said.</p><p>Signature items are pulled pork and beef brisket that smokes for about 11 hours. Eleven employees dish out ribs, sandwiches, homemade sides and desserts, along with a children's menu.</p><p>There's seating for 99 customers, and Parham banks on an increasing volume of carry-out orders, with hopes of catering sometime in the future.</p><p>He said being a restaurant owner is rewarding “when someone eats and has a great smile and said they've had the best sandwich they've ever had.”</p><p>Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.</p><p>Contact Jimmy's BBQ Place at 828-595-9475.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>